CBS Interactive Posts Dramatic Traffic Increases Across Leading Sites in First Full Month of Integration With Former ‘CNET Networks’

    According to July comScore Media Metrix, Significant Organic Audience

Growth Achieved after Successful Implementation of Cross Promotion Efforts



    NEW YORK, Aug. 13 /EMWNews/ -- CBS Interactive today announced

dramatic increases in traffic across its leading brands, according to

comScore Media Metrix (July 2008, U.S. Data). The increases reflect organic

audience growth and successful cross promotion efforts both online and on

air (TV and Radio) that have taken hold in the first month of integration

between CBS Interactive and CNET Networks.



    Several sites within CBS Interactive recorded all-time highs in what is

historically a slow month for growth online. Select findings of the

comScore data include:



    -- CNET.com posted a 22% increase in unique visitors over July 2007,

pointing to early success of its beta release, which launched in June and

officially launches later this month, as well as the success of early

integration programs such as CNET and CBS coverage of the iPhone.



    -- BNET.com posted a 19% increase in unique visitors over last month,

underscoring the success of the recent BNET Industries launch in April, and

its overall position as the go-to resource for business managers and one of

the most-visited business sites.



    -- CBSSports.com, which is gearing up for Fantasy Football -- pro AND

college -- in the coming weeks, continues to dominate in "loyalty metrics,"

leading all major sports sites over the past three months in average

minutes per visitor, average pages per visitor and average visits per

visitor. For the months of May, June and July of 2008, visitors to

CBSSports.com averaged a combined hour and eight minutes on the site, over

ten minutes more than any competitor. For the past three months users also

averaged 8.3 visits to CBSSports.com per month, with the closest competitor

averaging 6.3 visits per month.



    -- CBS.com had a 32% increase in unique users over the previous month,

the largest among broadcast network TV websites. CBS.com also had the most

engaged audience among the broadcast network TV sites, with users spending

20 minutes viewing 21 pages - demonstrating early success for the "CBS HD

Gallery," which launched in mid-July.



    -- GameSpot posted a 21% year over year increase in unique visitors

driven by the success of its E3 convention coverage, which drew record

traffic and activity including over 100 million pages viewed and 5 million

videos streamed(1).



    -- Last.fm posted a 20% increase in unique visitors from last month and

a 36% increase in user-engagement since last month's launch of its

redesigned user-interface, its highest-ever traffic. Last.fm also saw a

dramatic 208% year-over-year increase in total minutes and a 62% increase

in unique visitors, as well as 115% increase in page views.



    -- TV.com, which will debut a new look in time for the fall television

season, saw a 10% increase in unique monthly users over last month.



    -- CHOW's unique monthly users increased 24% month over month and 256%

over the previous year, as more food fans turned to the site for fun,

practical advice on cooking and food.



    "Not only are we seeing record highs for several properties but to see

them during seasonally slow months attests to the benefit of combination

across these great categories. It also serves to prove the value of on-air

call outs and brand building support via purposeful cross promotion from

CBS Television and CBS Radio," said Quincy Smith, CEO, CBS Interactive.

"With more cross promotion programs and events on the way, upcoming site

updates for many of our leading brands, and a world class team that knows

how to take advantage of the opportunities this combination affords, we're

looking forward to the Fall and Winter."



    "There is no better proof of successful integration than the growth of

our brands, and these numbers clearly show that we continue to produce the

best online content across technology, news, sports, entertainment and

business," said Neil Ashe, President, CBS Interactive. "In just the first

month, we have executed significant cross promotion programs that span

everything from editorial appearances to best practices in search engine

optimization, and it's clear that these programs are making an impact on

audience growth and brand recognition."

    About CBS Interactive



    CBS Interactive, a division of CBS Corporation, is the best online

content network for information and entertainment. Its portfolio of leading

brands, which include CNET, CBS.com, CBSSports.com, GameSpot, TV.com, BNET,

and Last.fm, span popular categories like entertainment, sports, news,

technology and business. With more than 150 million(2) people visiting its

properties each month, CBS Interactive is a global Top 10 Web property.



    (1) CBS Interactive Internal Data



    (2) comScore Unduplicated Audience Report